R.I.P. Grand Master Roc Raida

R.I.P. Grand Master Roc Raida

2009 is turning out to be an extremely hard year in our losses in folks in Popular Culture as a whole.

Hearing about Grand Master Roc Raida's passing this weekend was definitely sad, just not as a loss for Hip-Hop (especially the DJ Community) but for the music industry in general.

I personally never met Grand Master Roc Raida, but I do know he was he few people involved in the entertainment industry (which we all know can be kind of crazy) who I never heard did anything wrong or sideways towards people.

His influence on me was when one of my people at WRSU when I was first starting out in radio hit me up with some VHS tapes of the DMC Championships and other DJ/Turntablism joints featuring the X-Men (later known as the X-Ecutioners) and some of his solo routines.

Those images were AMAZING in regards to how people could put things together not to just make a collage of sound, but one folks could groove too and even if you weren't a strict Hip-Hop head, had to respect the work put behind making such magic happen.

Overall, Grand Master Roc Raida is known as a good man who was about his family, friends and craft as an excellent DJ, turntablist & producer and will be deeply missed.

Grand Master Roc Raida Dead

Renowned DJ, who had performed with X-Ecutioners and Busta Rhymes, died Saturday of complications from a mixed-martial-arts accident.

By Shaheem Reid

In another terrible loss for the hip-hop community, Grand Master Roc Raida (real name: Anthony Williams) of the X-Ecutioners passed away on Saturday due to complications from a mixed-martial-arts accident, according to a statement released by his family. Raida had a two-decade career, which skyrocketed in 1995 when he won the DMC World DJ Championship. He released seven solo albums along with several LPs with his famed crew, the X-Ecutioners. Over the last few years, Raida had been Busta Rhymes' live DJ, where his showmanship skills were a perfect marriage for Busta and Spliff Starr's energetic stage antics.

A statement released by Raida's family over the weekend reads: "Anthony Williams [professionally known] to the world as the Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today, September 19, 2009. He is survived by his wife, three lovely daughters, mother and friends. Raida was recently in a mixed-martial-arts accident, something that he has been practicing for several years. Although he had undergone two surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days, this morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time."

"I am sorry to say that on this day at 2:05, Sept 19th we lost another incredible life ... DJ Roc Raida died today. My personal DJ is gone ..." Rhymes wrote. "I just wanna thank everyone for your love and support and your prayers ... We will never let your name die Roc ... We love u and will forever miss u ... RIP.

"I never met a more humble man in the industry," he continued. "So unbelievably talented and most importantly such beautiful spirit. I love you my brother. I will never let your name die DJ Roc Raida! We love you, we miss you and we'll never stop reppin' you!"

At press time, Busta's most recent tweets, published Monday morning, read: "I woke up this morning and realized how proud of this man's life I really am ... he can continue to smile down on us ... R.I.P. eternally, from your Flipmode Family."

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DJ Fusion is a short, above average looking Black-American female DJ, writer and photographer in her 30s that's originally from the Prince Georges County, MD and now going back and forth between New Jersey and the DMV (DC/MD/VA). Since 1998, she's been doing the syndicated radio show, The FuseBox Radio Broadcast, which brings the best of Black Music from all over the world along with news, interviews and commentary. Check out what's happening with the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast at our official website, http://www.FuseBoxRadioOnline.com!

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About Me

I'm DJ Fusion, a short (5 feet tall), above average looking Black-American female DJ, writer and photographer in my early 30s.
I'm originally from the Prince Georges County, MD, now going back and forth between New Jersey and the DMV (DC/MD/VA).
Since 1998, I've been doing my syndicated radio show, The FuseBox Radio Broadcast, bringing the best of Black Music from all over the world along with news, interviews and commentary.
Check out what's happening with the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast at our official website, http://www.FuseBoxRadioOnline.com!

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